PROJECT MATRIX

Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center (2017)  

Shigeru Ban

Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan

Key Concept

The Mount Fuji World Heritage Center (FWHC) is operated for both museum and resource center to celebrate the Mt. Fuji —— one of the most famous world heritage and iconic site in Japan.

The entire project is reacted as an interrelated role with Mt. Fuji and the surrounded context. The architect aimed to create an interaction rather than simply a reflection to the real scene of the mountain on the background which may result in a sense of competition. By looking to the project, it is comprised of an overall rectangular form with an up-side-down cone that covered with latticed wood. This is the integrated concept of an inverted image of Mt. Fuji, and by cooperating with the pool in front of the building, the reflection of water will eventually show the symbolic image of the actual mountain.

In this building, the primary part is the spiral ramp of 193 meters inside the cone that occupied as the main exhibition hall, and lead visitors walk toward the rooftop observation hall while having the similar experience of climbing up a mountain. After they reach the top level, there will be a frame of the panorama view of the Mt. Fuji, recreating the viewing experiences for this heritage site again. Besides the giant cone inside, is the multi-function spaces involved information center, cafe, museum shop, library, lecture hall and administrative functions, which all surrounded to the centered cone and covered by the symmetrical glazed facade in a rectangular form.

There is a detailed consideration for the exterior covering of the reinforced concrete cone, which is the lattice wood. The 8,000 bares of local cypress have been chosen to consist the lattice, linked with lapped joints and rounded on top, forming the woven illusion. Then, to achieve the three-dimensional sense of the lattice, the small metal spacers are affixed the lattice to the fibre-reinforced concrete wall panels behind, in order to create a slight shadow.

Selected Design Elements

The feature of this project has a bonded relationship with its context. Therefore, the model will be proposed in two parts: the building itself and the surrounding context. For the building part, the elements will be focusing on the overall forms and appearance of the project, including geometrical detailed and the specific selection of materials (wood, glass and concrete). On the other hand, the context model will be consisting with the pool (in front of the building), surrounded walkway, Torri (adjacent to the building) and the view of Mt. Fuji (In this case, will be proposed into a printed image on the clear acrylic surface). In this case, the approximate area of the context is around 83 m x 72 m (including the building). 

The interior space and experiences will not be a focused element in this model due to the scale consideration. However, some important characteristics in the interior spaces will still be made due to the interrelated aspects to its form and building features. This including the ramps surrounded outside the up-sided down cone, the solid concrete interior wall that segregated the spaces, and the openings on the walls. 

How is the Key Concept Reflected in the Design Studio?

In my previous study, I rarely have been challenged myself to design or make a project that involves round or curve form due to its complexity. Therefore, the experience of building this model will allow me to explore the technique in modelling curve form, in both digital and physical. In addition, learning new approaches is another opportunity from this model, including the proposed method of 3D printing, casting and bending timbers.

On the other hand, study this project allows me to be inspired from the ways that architectural form can interact and cooperate with the context in a new approach; and how it can result with that both architecture itself and context will be an advantage to each other (through creating a special experience to visitors). In addition, the materials that constructed the project allows both feelings of heaviness (Concrete roof and centered cone) and lightness (glazed façade and pool, and latticed wood) to be shown at the same time and become harmonized in a visual perspective. For example, the harmony aspect is illustrated through the concrete cone structure that covered with latticed timber bars, eventually allowing the project that seems to be more lightness from a visual experience.

Geometrical Description of the Shape

The model consists of two parts: building and context:

For the building, the primary and supporting part is the flat roof and up-sided down cone form. This is considered to be made as a one-piece part with a high-density material to create a sense of textualized quality or heaviness for the model. Then a latticed timber sheet will wrap over the facade of the cone. The transparent acrylic that symbolised as glass will be the overall façade of the project. Meanwhile, certain solid blocks will be joining the building on the back through the glazed façade.

For the context, half of the building will be placed on the pool (clear resin will be used as the surface of the water). The walkway and the pool will eventually form not only as a context model but as a base for the building, this base will be a rectangular concrete board with holes in the middle to fill the resin (water surface). The proposed height for the overall base will approximately be 50 mm (depending on a consultant with tutors regarding the weight and thickness required to hold the centered pool (resin).

Model Information:

Proposed Scale: 1:250

Material: 

-       Concrete

-       Plastic

-       Clear Acrylic

-       Plywood sheet

-       Resin

-       Dried plants

Techniques:

-       3D Print

-       Casting

-       Laser Cut

Time Commitment + Budget:

3D Print: [Approx. 5 – 10 hrs]:

-       Material + Printing fees: Approx. $30 - $50

Casting: [Approx. 2 weeks]:

-       Material: Approx. $20 - $30

Laser Cut [Approx. 30 mins]:

-       2mm Clear Acrylic 400 x 800 mm: $21

-       3mm Plywood 400 x 800 mm: $16

-       Cutting fees: $15

Assembly: [Approx. 2 days]

Digital Modelling: [Approx. 2 days]

Total Time / Total Cost: 17 days 11 hours (max.) / $132 (Approx. max.)

Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum (09.2010)

Kengo Kuma

3799-3 Taro-gawa Yusuhara-cho, Takaoka-gun, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

Key Concept

The Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum is the project that operated as a bridge-type facility (involves workshop and accommodation which is ideal for artist-in-residence programs) that connects two public buildings together. These two public buildings have initially been separated by the road for a long time. However, the project not only bridging two public buildings together, but Kengo Kuma also express the aspect of using this architecture to bridge a wide range of issues: including rejuvenation of regional culture, urban design, structure technology, and materials and traditional expression.

The Project is located Yusuhara-cho, surrounded by greenery and mountains. Kengo Kuma has continuedly explored his aspects of timber traditional structure and interrelationship between the context in this design. The bridge form is chosen to be structured in the ‘Tokiyo’ system: by overlapping wood members and creating a presence (materiality) and abstractness of ‘wood masonry’. This form is inspired by the traditional structure in Japan and China and is often applied in traditional Japanese temple architecture. The vertical load for this project is constructed in the middle, balancing the structure of two sides. From that, the appearance and the form of the design are interacted to mountains on the background, harmonize the visual experience between nature and architecture.

In order to allow the project to have a sense of lightness, the elevators on both sides have designed with full transparent glazing, cooperate with the greenery and two existing houses to form as a ‘disappear’ elements. On the top part, where the main corridor of the bridge is located, the glass is again used as the façade to bring the natural light into the building. 

Selected Design Elements

There are two design elements been selected in this project: Overall design appearance with the interrelationship between context; and the timber structural system.

Design Forms That Interact with The Context:

In the project, architecture and its surrounding context are interrelated, both elements are cooperated with each other to form as a highlight of the design. The use of timber and traditional structure allows the building to interact with the local culture and the context of mountains. Meanwhile, by focusing on the visualised lightness, the project is able to balance its sense of presence with the existing building on two sides rather than covered the features of heritage buildings. In addition, a single vertical loaded column highlights the symmetrical image, while leaving more spaces for background scene rather than block the natural views.

The first model will primarily be focused on the overall views of the design, with part of its context including the walkway, road, existing two buildings and the greenery. The approximate context area will be 105 m x 75 m including the project. Moreover, the interior space will not be focused in this case due to the scale consideration.

Timber Structure System:

The structural technique in this project is inspired by the traditional timber system called ‘Tokiyo’, which is used by traditional Chinese and Japanese architecture (mostly for temple project). The laminated wood members are chosen, accompany with small sections, and gradually overlapping to extend the bridge girder for multiple times from both ends. These overlapping members then formed into a pattern like ‘wood masonry’.

Initially, the singled vertical column in the middle does not design for aesthetic aspect, but for structural consideration. The primary load for the bridge starts from the centred columns during the construction process, the technique of balancing the load on both sides in time is very important. Then another two loading points are connected through the elevator that design with the steel frame structure.

As a reflection to the structure system applied in this project, it is highly sustainable in the aspect of material (local and timber able to absorb CO²) and reducing the effort from transportation (smaller dimensions for structures).

How is the Key Concept Reflected in the Design Studio?

There are two key concepts will be reflected: Design aspects and construction system

Design Aspects:

The project is inspired in the way architect exploring the relationship between architectural form and its context (by interact and interrelated to each other); and the relationship between form and function (bridge-form that traditionally functioned as a corridor or walkway, but embedded with the function of workshop and accommodation, allows the space to be more useful while involving a sense of programmatic under the aesthetic features.

This design allows me exploring another way of viewing, using and considering the context during the design process in different content to the ‘Mount Fuji World Heritage Center’. It also shows the way in how architecture does not have to be dominant in comparing with the two heritage buildings but harmonized between both by applying the traditional appearance and form.

Construction System:

In my previous study, I have always interested in the traditional timber structure, the ways it cut, form and join. The traditional technique in timber structure in both Chinese and Japan seemed to be gradually forgotten due to the dominant predominant focus on concrete and steel. However, this project, like what Kengo Kuma is continuedly exploring form his other project, questioning and expressing the way how contemporary and tradition can be merged together in architecture. Meanwhile, the project also demonstrates the sustainable aspects in both materials and the process of construction, which allowing me to be reflected and inspired for my design project.

Geometrical Description of the Shape

There are two models will be built to study this precedent: Design model and Structure model

Design Model (1:200)

The model will comprise three parts: the project, two heritage buildings, and the context base. The design part will be built with timber stripes (materials may choose to be laser cut plywood) and the roof will be timber pieces with spray paint to create the proper textualised quality. The two heritage buildings will also assembly by the laser cut timber pieces with spray paint. The context will be timber base in a rectangular form cut through CNC technique, with natural and smooth contour on the surface. The proposed base will be approximately 50mm tall (at the lowest point), and the dimension for the contoured base will be approximately 520 mm x 370 mm in related to the scale of the project. Greenery will also be a focus on the base due to the important relationship between the project and the natural environment surrounded.

Structure Model (1:20)

In the structure model, the study of timber connection will be a primary focus. The model is proposed on the scale of 1:20 to show the details in the elements of timber cut and joints. The part will be including half cut (from bottom) of the centered column, how it supports the bridge and how the bridge is extended to two sides. The model will also study the top part of the bridge (including roof structure). Therefore, the approximated dimension will be 400 mm tall and 500 mm wide. The object of this model is to allow it to be supported and stable to stand without adding glue (except the necessary parts where the precedent has also been applied the joining materials).

    [Model Example: Made by Kengo Kuma & Associates]

Model Information:

Proposed Scale: 1:200 / 1:20

Material: 

-       Timber

-       Spray Paints

-       Dried plants

Techniques:

-       Laser Cut

-       Woodwork (for model 1:20 only)

-       CNC (for model 1:200 only – base context)

Time Commitment + Budget:

Model 1:200 

Laser Cut: [Approx. 1 hr]:

-       3mm plywood 800 x 400 mm: $16

-       Cutting fees: $30

CNC: [Approx. 1 – 2 hrs]:

-       Material + Cutting fee: Approx. $150

Assembly + Spray: [2 days]:

-       Spray paint: Approx. $30

Digital Model: [Approx. 2 days]

Total Time / Total Cost: 4 days 3 hours (approx.) / $226 (Approx. max.)

Model 1:20

Woodwork (Including Assembly Time): [Approx. 4 - 5 days]

-       Material: $50

Polished + Spray: [Approx. 2 days]

-       Material: $20

Total Time / Total Cost: 7 days (approx.) / $70 (Approx. max.)

References:

Shigeru Ban Architects, 2017, Mt.Fuji World Heritage Center / 富士山世界遺産センター, Shigeru Ban Architects, Viewed 30.06.2019,

<http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com/works/2017_fujisan/index.html>

Naomi R. Pollock, FAIA, 2018, Fujisan World Heritage Center by Shigeru Ban Architects, Architectural Record, Viewed 30.06.2019,

<https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13268-fujisan-world-heritage-center-by-shigeru-ban-architects?>

Keiji Oguchi, 2018, News 18-04 (No. 364), Nagata Acoustics, Viewed 30.06.2019,

<https://www.nagata.co.jp/e_news/news1804-e.html>

Kengo Kuma and Associates, Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Viewed 30.06.2019,

< https://kkaa.co.jp/works/architecture/yusuhara-wooden-bridge-museum/>

Archdaily, 2012, Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum / Kengo Kuma & Associates, Archdaily, Viewed 30.06.2019,

<https://www.archdaily.com/199906/yusuhara-wooden-bridge-museum-kengo-kuma-associates>